1.
to scrape together, to rake up
To physically gather scattered things by scraping or raking them into one place.
落ち葉を掻き集めて袋に入れた。
I raked up the fallen leaves and put them in a bag.
2.
to scrape together, to round up
To gather with effort from various sources, often implying difficulty or urgency.
必要な資金をなんとか掻き集めた。
I somehow managed to scrape together the necessary funds.
ボランティアを掻き集めてイベントを開催した。
We rounded up volunteers and held the event.
USAGE: 掻き集める is a compound verb combining 掻く (to scrape, to scratch) and 集める (to gather). The 掻き～ prefix adds a nuance of hasty or vigorous action.
TRANSITIVITY: Transitive (他動詞). Takes を for what is being gathered.
ASPECT: 掻き集めている indicates ongoing gathering activity.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 資金を掻き集める (to scrape together funds)
- 情報を掻き集める (to gather information)
- 人手を掻き集める (to round up workers)
- 落ち葉を掻き集める (to rake up fallen leaves)
NUANCE: Implies effort, urgency, or gathering from disparate sources. More emphatic than simple 集める.